State government reporter Heather J. Carlson

October 13, 2011

Parry attacks Walz on free trade votes

It has begun. Just got my first official press release from the Mike Parry for Congress campaign. In the release the Republican state senator from Waseca goes after DFL Congressman Tim Walz for voting against free trade agreements with Colombia and Panama yesterday.

Here's a copy of the release:

Waseca- Mike Parry, candidate for the 1st Congressional District, gave the following statement upon passage of three free trade agreements in Congress today, Wednesday, October 12.

"I commend Congress for passing three free trade agreements with bi-partisan support today. These free trade agreements will help spur economic growth which is desperately needed.

I've spoken with a number of folks in the agriculture community in southern Minnesota-- there was near-unanimous support for all three agreements. This is another example of politicians in Washington, like Congressman Walz, being out of touch with the people they represent.

I look forward to returning common-sense representation to the people of southern Minnesota."

Walz voted for the South Korea Free Trade Agreement saying it will benefit farmers in southern Minnesota. But he voted against agreements with Colombia and Panama. He said he has serious concerns about Colombia's human rights record and corruption and instability in Panama.

“I believe that as the leader of the free world, the United States must be guided in its trade policy by our values,” he said in a written statement.

Incidentally, looks like Parry's website is up and running. Here's a link.